The power and limits of the ASEAN chairperson.

When cutting emissions crosses a new red line.

How can Singapore balance economy and climate.

Singapore as technocrat vs consensus builders.

Can the ASEAN region cooperate on haze issues?

Unlocking carbon credits with peatlands saved.

Economy and climate change: Can ASEAN balance?

ASEAN Power Grid, microgrids, finance hurdles.

Current plans to adapt to this climate change.

Impact of Iran war and Trump at ASEAN in 2026.

Could ASEAN negotiate as unified voice at COP?

Why citizens should care about ASEAN meetings.

Can Singapore balance economic survival & climate action as ASEAN chair in 2027? 

As Singapore prepares to take over the ASEAN chairmanship in 2027, the region faces a delicate balancing act between economic uncertainties and climate action.

According to recent regional survey data from the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, many in Southeast Asia are prioritising economic survival, inflation, and recession fears over climate action. But with pressing issues like transboundary haze, coal phase-outs, and rising energy costs, how can Singapore use its leadership to align economic resilience with green initiatives?

In this episode, Green Pulse host Audrey Tan sits down with veteran diplomat and climate researcher Sharon Seah. They explore the real power and limits of the ASEAN chair, how the long-awaited ASEAN Power Grid could unlock regional energy security, and why framing climate solutions around economic survival, such as carbon credits and peatland restoration, is the key to uniting the region.

Highlights of conversation (click/tap above):

01:03  The power and limits of the ASEAN chair

02:55  When cutting emissions becomes crossing a red line

04:05  How can Singapore as ASEAN chair balance economy and climate change issues

06:21  Singapore as a technocratic chair vs consensus builder

08:13  Can ASEAN cooperate on haze issues?  

12:17  Unlocking carbon credits through peatland conservation

15:59 Economy and climate change - can ASEAN 2027 balance both?

17:36  ASEAN Power Grid, microgrid and financing hurdles

22:43  Plans to adapt to climate change

26:02  Impacts of Iran war and Trump at ASEAN in Nov 2026 

31:40  Could ASEAN negotiate as a unified voice at COP?

33:10  Why everyday citizens should care about ASEAN Summits

Follow Audrey Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/848W

Read her articles: https://str.sg/JLM2

Host: Audrey Tan (audreyt@sph.com.sg)

Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim

Executive producer: Lynda Hong

Follow Green Pulse Podcast every Tuesday as we discuss how environmental issues intersect with business, politics and society:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaY

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWag

YouTube: https://str.sg/fapS

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 

Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts 

---

Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

---

#greenpulse

Can Singapore balance economic survival &amp; climate action as ASEAN chair in 2027?&nbsp;
As Singapore prepares to take over the ASEAN chairmanship in 2027, the region faces a delicate balancing act between economic uncertainties and climate action.
According to recent regional survey data from the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, many in Southeast Asia are prioritising economic survival, inflation, and recession fears over climate action. But with pressing issues like transboundary haze, coal phase-outs, and rising energy costs, how can Singapore use its leadership to align economic resilience with green initiatives?
In this episode, Green Pulse host Audrey Tan sits down with veteran diplomat and climate researcher Sharon Seah. They explore the real power and limits of the ASEAN chair, how the long-awaited ASEAN Power Grid could unlock regional energy security, and why framing climate solutions around economic survival, such as carbon credits and peatland restoration, is the key to uniting the region.
Highlights of conversation (click/tap above):
01:03&nbsp; The power and limits of the ASEAN chair
02:55&nbsp; When cutting emissions becomes crossing a red line
04:05&nbsp; How can Singapore as ASEAN chair balance economy and climate change issues
06:21&nbsp; Singapore as a technocratic chair vs consensus builder
08:13&nbsp; Can ASEAN cooperate on haze issues?&nbsp;&nbsp;
12:17&nbsp; Unlocking carbon credits through peatland conservation
15:59 Economy and climate change - can ASEAN 2027 balance both?
17:36&nbsp; ASEAN Power Grid, microgrid and financing hurdles
22:43&nbsp; Plans to adapt to climate change
26:02&nbsp; Impacts of Iran war and Trump at ASEAN in Nov 2026&nbsp;
31:40&nbsp; Could ASEAN negotiate as a unified voice at COP?
33:10&nbsp; Why everyday citizens should care about ASEAN Summits
Follow Audrey Tan on LinkedIn:<a href="https://str.sg/848W"> https://str.sg/848W</a>
Read her articles:<a href="https://str.sg/JLM2"> https://str.sg/JLM2</a>
Host: Audrey Tan (<a href="mailto:audreyt@sph.com.sg">audreyt@sph.com.sg</a>)
Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim
Executive producer: Lynda Hong
Follow Green Pulse Podcast every Tuesday as we discuss how environmental issues intersect with business, politics and society:
Channel:<a href="https://str.sg/JWaf"> https://str.sg/JWaf</a>
Apple Podcasts:<a href="https://str.sg/JWaY"> https://str.sg/JWaY</a>
Spotify:<a href="https://str.sg/JWag"> https://str.sg/JWag</a>
YouTube:&nbsp;<a href="https://str.sg/fapS">https://str.sg/fapS</a>
Feedback to: <a href="mailto:podcast@sph.com.sg">podcast@sph.com.sg</a>
---
Follow more ST podcast channels:
All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: <a href="https://str.sg/wvz7">https://str.sg/wvz7</a>&nbsp;
Get more updates: <a href="http://str.sg/stpodcasts">http://str.sg/stpodcasts</a>&nbsp;
---
Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:
The App Store:<a href="https://str.sg/icyB"> https://str.sg/icyB</a>
Google Play:<a href="https://str.sg/icyX"> https://str.sg/icyX</a>
---
#greenpulse

The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change.

Synopsis: Every Tuesday, we discuss how environmental issues intersect with business, politics and society.

Podcaster: Audrey Tan

Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim

Executive producers: Ernest Luis

A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.

Synopsis: Every Tuesday, we discuss how environmental issues intersect with business, politics and society.
Podcaster: Audrey Tan
Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim
Executive producers: Ernest Luis
A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.